Dental means



D. E. THOMPSON ETAL DENTAL MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14. 1959 FIG. 2

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FIG. 3

FIG.

INVENTORS DONALD E. THOMPSON HUBERT A. GODDARD FIG-5 BY ATTORNEY 1952 D. E. THOMPSON ETAL 3,068,570

DENTAL MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1959 INVENTORS DONALD E. THOMPSON HUBERT A. GODDARD ATTORNEY Sttes This invention relates to dentistry. In a more specific aspect, this invention relates to means used in the practice of dentistry. In still a more specific aspect, this invention relates to bite recording said Gothic arch tracing with bite plates. Yet in a more specific aspect, this invention relates to correlation and equilibration of dentures. And, more specifically, this invention relates to removably mountable means for bite plates and dentures to permit the dental practitioner to record the bite of a patient and to correlate and equilibrate dentures, such removable means being mountable for use in dental bite plates and dentures, respectively.

It is old in the art to employ means for recording bite with bite plates fitted in the mouth of the patient by a dentist, with the patient making uninterrupted oscillatory motion of the lower bite plate relative to the upper bite plate, and in so doing tracing a socalled Gothic arch on a contact plate mounted in one of the bite plates. Also, it is old in the art of making and fitting dentures to employ removable means to try to correlate or equilibrate the dentures in the mouth of the patient, so that the dentures will be in balance with proper contact and comfort to the wearer. In this attempted function, a contact plate or member is mounted in one of the dentures to be contacted by an adjustable spacing member mounted in the other of the dentures. However, the means of the prior art has not been successful, and will not work to advantage, to a certain extent because of the type or kind of false teeth used to form the dentures, and to a great extent because the equilibration means does not operate satisfactorily relative to the patient to indicate to the dentist the source or point of trouble leading to the improper correlation between the upper and lower dentures. None of the prior art equilibration means is comfortable to the patient, and it is designed so as to interfere with the mouth of the patient in use, particularly the tongue of the patient.

We have invented new dental means for bite recording and equilibration or correlation of dentures which overcomes the disadvantages of the means of the prior art designed to do the same functions. It is in the function of equilibration or correlation wherein the new means of our invention works to the greatest advantage. And, the new dental means of our invention, when used with the posterior teeth of the structure as set forth in Goddard Patent No. 2,617,192, is a complete answer for equilibrating dentures with the patient comfortable during equilibration and during use of the dentures. And, very importantly, the new equilibration means of our invention can also be used for bite recording. It is very inexpensive to manufacture, repair and maintain, easy to use, and reliable in use. In use, the patient is quite comfortable, the means of our invention providing in its structure for positioning same out of the interfering way of the tongue of the patient. The new dental means of our invention can be employed with full upper and lower dentures, and with a full denture against natural teeth, and with a partial denture against a full denture, and with a partial denture against natural teeth, or a partial denture against a partial denture.

We have invented dental means having a base member which is mountable in lower denture means, most specifically a lower bite plate and a lower denture. A pin is adjustably mounted in the base member. The dental means of our invention has a contact plate memrecording and Gothic arch tracing.

3,068,570 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 ber which is mountable in an upper denture means, rnost specifically an upper bite plate and an upper denture, and this contact plate member in use is spaced from the base member. When the base and contact plate members are mounted in the denture means, and the denture means are in turn mounted in the mouth of the person who is the patient, the pin and contact plate .mernber are constructed to permit uninterrupted oscillatory motion of the lower in relation to the upper denture means with the pin in contact with the contact plate member. This is the use and function during bite The pin of the means which is adjustably mounted in the base member is positionable toward and away from the contact plate member, and such pin is constructed to unyieldingly engage the contact plate member to prevent closing of the jaws of the person or patient farther than a point of contact between the denture means. This is the use and function of the dental means of our invention when being employed to equilibrate or correlate the dentures while in the mouth of the person who is the patient. The base member of the dental means is constructed and positioned when mounted in the lower denture means to be out of the interfering way of the tongue of the person who is the patient. This has been found to be very valuable in bite recording and equilibration use of the new dental means of our invention.

It is an object of our invention to provide new means for the practice of dentistry.

It is another object of our invention to provide new means for constructing and fitting dentures.

Still another object of our invention is to provide new dental means for bite recording and Gothic arch tracing.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide new means for equilibrating dentures and correlating dentures to give balance to same, resulting in comfort and good use by the person wearing the dentures.

Still another object of our invention is to provide new means for the practice of dentistry which can conveniently be used for such bite recording and Gothic arch tracing, and equilibration and correlation of dentures, such being removably mountable in the denture means.

It is yet another object of our invention to provide economic denture construction and fitting means which are easy to manufacture and use, and which are reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the new dental means of our invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the new dental means of our invention for bite recording and equilibration, and it is to be understood that these drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of our invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred specific embodiment of our dental means mounted in bite plates for Gothic arch tracing or bite recording.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view therethrough.

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view through the bite plate and dental means of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through upper and lower dentures having mounted therein a preferred specific embodiment of the new dental means of our invention in use position for equilibrating the dentures.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred specific embodiment of the base member of the dental means of our mvent1on.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred specific em bodiment of the contact plate member of the dental means of our invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a preferred specific embodiment of pin means of the new dental means of our invention, showing a preferred mounting of such pin means in the base member and in operative contact with the contact plate member of FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the contact plate member of FIG. 7, having a Gothic arch traced thereon, and with a usual apex indicator member mounted thereon.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a pair of upper and lower posterior teeth of the structure of Patent No. 2, 6-17,- 192, referred to hereinbefore, with which the new equilibration means of our invention works to the greatest advantage.

In the following is a discussion and description of the new dental means of our invention made with reference .to the drawings wherein the same numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description are of preferred specific embodiments of the new dental means of our invention, and it is to be understood that such is not to unduly limit the scope of our invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 8, a preferred specific embodiment of the new dental means of :our invention is shown separate and in mounted position in bite plates (FIGS. 1-3) and dentures (FIGS. 4 and 5).

In this most preferred specific embodiment, which can be used both for bite recording and equilibration, there is an elongated, narrow base member 12. This base 12 in use is preferably rigidly and removably mounted by its end portions on the lingual surface of lower denture means. In bite recording and Gothic arch tracing operation, the base 12 is mounted on the lingual surface of bite plate 14 in any suitable manner, such as by the use of plastic dental wax 16. The base member 12 is preferably made of metal, steel, aluminum, magnesium, and their alloys having been found desirable. The base member 12 is preferably of size so that when mounted in the denture means it is relatively forward and with the back edge thereof substantially forward of the position of the forward edge of the rearmost molars. Base member 12 is shown mounted in position of use for equilibrating dentures in a lower denture 18, and therein the rearmost molars 20 are shown. It is in regard to the molars 20 that base member 12 is desirably mounted relatively forward thereof, and this had proven to be a great advantage in comfort of the patient, and positioning base member 12 out of the interfering way of the tongue (not shown) of the patient. The position of base member 12 in the bite plates (FIGS. 1' and 2) is relatively the same forward position. In use in the denture 18, base 12 is mounted therein in any suitable manner such as by plastic dental wax 16 directly in contact with the ends of base 12 and the teeth of the denture in the vicinity of the lingual surface thereof.

A pin 22 is preferably threadedly and adjustably mounted at approximately right angles in base member 12 in hole 24 therein. (FIG. 6.) Pin 22 is mounted approximately central of base 12. A ball 26 is rotatably mounted in one end portion of pin 22 to form a ball point. The other end of pin 2 -2 preferably has a groove 28 therein to aid in turning and positioning pin 22 relative to base member 12. Pin 22 preferably has relatively fine threads,

I 28 to 36 to the inch being idea], so that the projection of pin 22 through base member 12 can be varied a miniscule amount. This is an important feature when the means is used to equilibrate dentures. One of the most important features of the dental means of our invention is the adjustable pin 22, which when adjusted to desired position is rigid relative to base member 12. In operation, this permits the dentist to adjust and maintain the relative position of dentures at the first point of contact between teeth of upper and lower dentures, such first point and those subsequent thereto causing the teeth to be out-0fbalance or not equilibrated. The ball 26 forming the ball point of pin 22 is likewise an important structural feature of the dental means of our invention, such providing the great advantage of easy movement of the lower bi-te plate 14 relative to the upper bite plate and contact plate 30 in bite recording or Gothic arch tracing function, wherein in operation the lower bite plate 14 is moved in uninterrupted oscillatory motion in relation to the upper bite plate to trace the Gothic arch (FIG. 9).

A contact plate 39 is removably mounted for use in the palate portion of an upper bite plate 32, or in the palate portion of an upper denture 34. The contact plate member 3i) is suitably mounted therein, such as with plastic dental wax 36. The contact plate member 30 is preferably wide and with a smooth face. It is rigidly and removably mounted by its side portions in the palate portions of either the upper bite plate or the upper denture, and mounted approximate to and spaced from base member 12, with the plane of plate member 36 approximately parallel to the line 'of the position of the ridge of upper denture 34 (FIG. 4). The contact plate member 30 in operation receives in contact therewith the ball 26 which is rotatably mounted in pin 22. The Gothic arch is traced in ink,'carbon, or the like, on the outer face of contact plate member 30 by ball 26 in taking the bite recording, the free movement giving consistently excellent results.

We prefer to use the new dental means of our invention in bite recording or taking the bite by adapting base member 12 to the bite plate model 14-. The long narrow base 12 having pin 22 therein is waxed in bite plate 14 approximately near the center, and it is most desirable that base member 12 be mounted approximately level. A proper size contact plate 30, preferably of stainless steel or other hard metal, is waxed into position in the upper bite plate 32.

The vertical height for the patient is established by placing a pencil dot on the chin and nose of the patient. The patient then opens the mouth uncomfortably wide for about 30 seconds, then closes, swallows and comes to rest. The distance between the nose and chin dots at this rest position generally approximates the vertical height for the finished dentures. Of course, any of the many other common methods of determining vertical height can be used, if desired.

The bite recording plates are then placed in the mouth of the patient, after ink or carbon is applied to the exposed surface of contact plate 30, and with pin 22 projecting sufficiently to make base 12 and contact plate 30 approximately. parallel in the patients mouth at the approximate position of proper vertical height. Then, with the bite plates 14 and 32 in such position in the patients mouth, pin 22 is extended or retracted until the vertical height is reached, as determined by the distance between the dots on the chin and nose of the patient, that is, with the ball 26 in contact with the exposed face of contact plate 30. The patient now moves the lower jaw in lateral, protrusive, and retrusive movement, until the Gothic arch is plainly marked in the ink or carbon on contact plate 30 (FIG. 9).

When the apex has been established, bite plate 32 is removed from the mouth of the patient, and a transparent stop 40 is waxed or otherwise adhered to contact plate 30, with the hole 42 therein over the apex. With our means, the arch traced will be pointing distally. With the stop 4% in place, the plate 32 is reinserted into the patients mouth, and the patient closes so that ball bearing 26 goes into the hole 42in stop 40. When this has been accomplished, bite plates 14 and 32 are fastened together by any suitable means, such as dental plaster, and the bite plates with pin 22 in position are removed from the mouth of the patient, and mounted on an articulater. With no pin pressure on plate 30, the bite plates 14 and 32 remain stable upon plastering.

As has been set forth hereinbefore, our new dental means works most advantageously with posterior teeth made in accordance with the procedures and structures of Goddard Patent No. 2,617,192. The main principle of these teeth is shown in FIG. 10, an upper posterior tooth 42 and a lower posterior tooth 44. These posterior teeth when in use are two point contact teeth, and such contacting results from lateral curvature. With such lateral curvature design and structure, and with our new dental means, adjustment can be made to equilibrate the teeth and dentures without lowering the vertical height of the set of dentures at all. The contact points between the teeth are at points 46 and 48. These posterior teeth are set up in the model plates 14 and 32 while mounted in the articulator, along with the front teeth.

After the teeth 42 and 44 are set up on the model plates, the 46 and 48 lines are ground to make sharp contact. The grinding is lingual, along 46 of upper tooth 42, but it is most desirable not to cut off any of the tooth height, merely grinding to make a straight line and a sharp edge at 46. The buccal 48 of lower tooth 44 is ground to make a balanced sharp line contact along line 48. This makes the teeth proper from a vertical standpoint. The processed and finished dentures 18 and 34 are not replaced on the articulator after grinding properly to establish the contact points or lines 46 and 48.

Instead, the dental means of our invention is used to equilibrate the dentures 18 and 34- while in the mouth of the patient. To accomplish this, contact plate 30 is waxed into the palate portion of upper denture 34 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The base member 12 having pin 22 threadedly mounted therein is waxed by its end portions on the lingual surface of lower denture 18. (FIGS. 4 and 5). The ball bearing 26 end of pin 22 projects upwardly toward the exposed face of contact plate 30. With the dentures 18 and 34 so equipped with base 12 and pin 22, and contact plate 30, respectively, they are placed in the patients mouth, and pin 22 is adjusted so that when the patient closes and moves the lower jaw in all directions, the teeth of dentures 18 and 34 do not touch. Threaded pin 22 is then retracted until a high spot or spots on the teeth contact. A sheet of carbon paper is placed between the dentures to mark the point or points of contact, and they are then ground off properly. This is to establish a proper balance or equilibration in lateral movement. Threaded pin 22 is then retracted from $4 to turn at a time, with a very fine thread, 32 to the inch being satisfactory, so that pin 22 is retracted a miniscule amount. This retraction of pin 22 occurs when the carbon paper will no longer mark the high points or contact points between the teeth upon movement of the lower jaw of the patient in all directions. Upon this further retraction, the next higher spot or contact point will appear, it or they being again marked with carbon paper and jaw movement by the patient. When these high points or contact points have been removed by grinding, and all other high points or contact points thusly, the teeth will be in contact only where necessary for proper occlusal balance. Lines 50 and 52 on teeth 42 and 44, respectively, are grinding lines for guides for grinding the teeth to provide for proper lateral movement, and the grinding along these lines is substantially the same as for grinding the contact points 46 and 48, respectively, along the lines of contact thereof. In providing the occlusal balance by grinding off the high spots, etc., it would be well to remember that the contact lines 46 and 48 will mark on the carbon paper, but they are not ground. The grinding for occlusal balance is from. the points or lines 46 and 48, and the guide lines or points 50 and 52 are ground. We have found that perfect equilibration of dentures made with Goddard teeth can be accomplished with as little as of a turn total of pin 22.

Use of the new dental means of our invention has proven that our new means results in bite recordings which are consistently accurate to a degree not heretofore obtained with other means, and in equilibration use the results are accurate to a degree in occlusal balance never before remotely approached in fitting dentures.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications of this invention can be made, or followed, in the light of this disclosure and discussion, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure or from the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. The combination with upper and lower dentures, of an elongated flat narrow base member having straight and substantially parallel forward and rear edge portions and having end portions rigidly and removably mounted on the lingual surface of said lower denture at approximately the gum line thereof, said base member being of such size and so mounted that said rear edge thereof is positioned substantially forward of the forward edge of the rearrnost molars of said lower denture, a pin threadedly and unyieldably adjustably mounted in a threaded hole in said base member and projecting upwardly from the center portion thereof at approximately a right angle thereto, a ball rotatably mounted in the upper end portion of said pin and forming a ball point, and a relatively wide contact plate member having a smooth face rigidly and removably mounted in its side portions in the side portions of the palate of said upper denture at approximately the gum line thereof and in close proximity to and spaced from said base member and with the plane of said plate member being approximately parallel to a plane drawn through the line of occlusion, said smooth face of said plate member being positioned to in operation receive in sliding contact said ball in said pin, said contact plate member being substantially larger in area and depth than said base member, said upper and lower dentures being adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a person with said base and plate members therein with said ball in said pin being adjustable relative to said base member to initially prevent closing of the jaws of said person with said pin being adjustable to control upward movement of said lower denture relative to said upper denture, said base member being of such size and so constructed and positioned as to be out of the interfering way of the tongue of the person.

2. The combination with upper and lower denture means, of an elongated fiat narrow base member having straight and substantially parallel forward and rear edge portions and having end portions rigidly and removably mounted on said lower denture means at approximately the gum line thereof, said base member being of such size and so mounted that said rear edge thereof is positioned substantially forward of the forward point of the normal position of the rearmost molars, a pin threadedly and unyieldingly adjustably mounted in a threaded hole in said base member and projecting upwardly from the center portion thereof at approximately a right angle thereto, a ball rotatably mounted in the upper end portion of said pin and forming a ball point, and a relatively wide contact plate having a smooth face rigidly and removably mounted in its side portions on said upper denture means at approximately the gum line thereof and in close proxirnity to and spaced from said base member and with the plane of said plate member being approximately parallel to a plane drawn through the line of occlusion, said smooth face of said plate member being positioned to in operation receive in sliding contact said ball in said pin, said contact plate member being substantially larger in area and depth than said base member, said upper and lower denture means being adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a person with said base and plate members therein and with said ball in said pin being adjustable relative to said base member to initially prevent closing of the jaws of said person with said pin being adjustable to control upward movement of said lowerdenture means relative to said upper denture means, said base member being of such size and so constructed and positioned as to be out of the interfering way of the tongue of the person.

3. The combination with upper and lower denture means, of an elongated narrow base member having substantially parallel forward and rear edge portions and having end portions rigidly and removably mounted on said lower denture means at approximately the gum line thereof, said base member being of such size and so mounted that said rear edge thereof is positioned substantially forward of the forward point of the normal position of the rearmost molars, a pin threadedly and unyieldably adjustably mounted in a threaded hole in said base member and projecting upwardly from the center portion thereof at approximately a right angle thereto, said pin having a hard rounded upper end means therewith, and a relatively Wide contact plate member having a smooth hard face rigidly and removably mounted in its side portions on said upper denture means at approximately the gum line thereof and in close proximity to and spaced from said base member and with the plane of said plate member being approximately parallel to a plane drawn through the line of occlusion, said face of said plate member being positioned to in operation receive in sliding contact said rounded end means of said pin, said contact plate member being substantially larger in area and depth than said base member, said upper and lower denture means being adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a person with said base and plate members therein with said rounded end means of said pin being adjustable relative to said base member to initially prevent closing of the jaws of said person with said pin being adjustable to control upward movement of said lower denture means relative to said upper denture means, said base member being of such size and so constructed and positioned to be out of the interfering way of the tongue of the person.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,398 Phillips Nov. 5, 1929 2,301,358 Ballard NOV. 10, 1942 2,528,153 Legge Oct. 31, 1950 2,552,829 Wilkinson May 15, 1951 

